Best 2-Channel Car Amplifiers [2020 UPDATED]

With such a wide range of 2-channel car amplifiers available, it’s challenging to narrow down the best choice that offers value for money. There are undoubtedly highh-end options like the Focal 105 W 2.1060 that can deliver a superior sound quality as a top-end amplifier.

Choosing the best overall amplifier like the Rockford Fosgate P300X2 could be a better choice, however. The P300X2 is one of the best picks for maximizing value, build quality and sound quality. It comes in at the top of our list for the best 2-channel car amps this year.

Rockford Fosgate P300X2 Punch 2-channel amp

The Rockford Fosgate P300X2 is a surprisingly underrated amplifier that can produce 100 W RMS in 2 channels or 300 W RMS in the mono channel. The 20Hz response leads to a decent sound improvement on other models, and the bridging options make this an easy amp for use with multiple subwoofers.

The filters onboard and the bass and treble boost can produce some surprising results in a wide range of vehicles. The CLEAN channel set up is an excellent touch that the manufacturer has added to reduce the chance that speakers could blow during setup. The build quality of this product is also quite reasonable when compared to some of the materials used in competition grader amplifiers.

The one-year warranty and 60-day money-back guarantee add value to this product by protecting the customer. The only small drawback that some may find is that the amplifier needs to be placed in a reasonably well-ventilated area. If the seat is allowed to build up in a smaller space, this whole unit can get slightly warm.

Bang For The Buck

Rockville DB25 two-channel amp

Rockville has produced a staggeringly powerful amplifier in this two-channel setup. If you’re looking for a backup that has lots of oomph or merely a great deal for lots of power in your vehicle, this is a set that you should consider.

At an extremely reasonable price, you can access a surprising amount of power in the range of 950- 1400 W per channel. A shocking 2800 peak wattage can deliver insane power. With the right alternator installed, you can power just about any speaker setting with some of these amps.

With a bridged mono channel setup, it delivers 700 watts RMS. The power on this device is some of the best at its price point. It could be challenging to find an ample fire that can deliver the same powerful bass as the Rockville DB 25 2800. The only drawback to this model is that some of the leads and the hookup screws can be ineffective and somewhat cheap.

Picking up some new leads and set screws can make the process of installation a bit easier. Without the original leads for this product, you could find yourself regularly pulling over to fix your amplifier on rough roads.

Budget – Under $100

Pioneer GM-A3702

If you’re working with a limited budget and you wanted to find decent performance in a two-channel car subwoofer, this is an option to consider. The Pioneer GM-A3702 2 channel bridgeable amp is a budget-friendly amplifier that installs quite quickly and offers a flexible boost to your stereo.

With only 60 W of RMS power in each channel, the increase is not a significant as you would receive from some other amplifiers. Peak power on this amp comes with a maximum output of 500 W, but this can limit your options for more substantial speakers. The 10 Hz- 70 kHz response is not as dynamic as some other amplifiers, but the boost is noticeable. The Pioneer GM A 3702 is quite portable, because of its size. This makes mounting the amplifier simple in almost any area of the car.

The range of sounds that this amplifier can produce is quite surprising. It offers the same kind of clarity that you would receive out of an excellent Pioneer amplifier or more expensive option.

If you are looking for an amplifier that specializes in clean tones rather than just a hard bass boost, this could serve as an excellent budget pick. If you are seeking an amp that is going to deliver dramatic power increases, this may not be a product to invest in.

Rockford Fosgate R150X2

Although this version of the 2-channel amp is considered to be at the low end of Rockford’s offerings, this amplifier stands as an excellent choice for anyone looking to access more power.

The build quality in this device is unique, and you can bridge this down into a single channel to push out 150 W or more. The 2 channel setup is capable of a 75 W RMS experience. The 20hz to 20 kHz response also produces some rich tones and depth to your music.

The black chassis on board is built for strength. The aesthetics overall can blend into any vehicle and its interior. The LED indicator for short-circuit and thermal protection can be a bit confusing to troubleshoot, and the amp can shut down, especially when it is exposed to heat. Luckily the customer service line and the Rockford website can help you to sort out the issue and determine what a warning light may mean.

The amp is extremely loud, but the clean sounds onboard are not as robust as you would get from some other amplifiers. If you’re looking for power at a low price, this could be an excellent option to consider.

Also Great

DS18 SLC-X1650.2 two-channel amp

The DS18 SLC X1650.2 Is an amplifier that has a staggering amount of power onboard. With up to 1650, Watts as the max power output; this is a device that comes with an extensive amount of bass boost without having to break the bank.

The bridged single channel setting is rated at 260W with a two-channel setting of 2×160 W or 2x100W RMS. Impressive low pass filters of 50 Hz- 200 Hz and up to 1.2kHz on the high filters lead to excellence in response.

The designs for this device are quite progressive; this does not make them conducive for blending in throughout your vehicle. If you are looking for a discreet amp to install, this is one that can be hard to hide from sight. The amplifier is built as an entry-level device, and all of the electronics onboard have been streamlined to make sure that it can be easily hooked up.

Although the amp has an excellent range, the power can take over, and the sound can become somewhat muddled when compared to some of the other amplifiers on the market today. The flexible range is excellent, but the more considerable bass boost can sometimes lack some of the treble tones in your favorite songs. The overall build quality of this product also lacks when compared to some of its other competitors in the market.

JL Audio XD200/2 2-channel amp

The XD 200 From JL audio is a 200 W amplifier that comes with class D XD technology. It can power a wide range of devices and even offers input for smartphones and CD players.

With 75 watts of RMS power in 2 channels and a max bridged power of 200 W RMS, this amp delivers excellent power. Frequency response at 12-22kHz is competitive for sound quality as well. JL audio wanted to produce a product that would be easily accessible and compact in a variety of different situations.

The line makes it an easy amp for use with smartphones or even portable music devices. Its original compatibility was with aftermarket CD players. The aluminum housing on this amplifier can be quickly removed with the help of an Allen key to make adjustments on the device.

The housing can also be changed quite regularly to make sure that the device is protected and ready for use or linking. The big advantage of this JL amp is that it can fit in a righty of spaces. It looks right at home, whether it’s mounted under a seat, in a trunk, or a dashboard. The product even comes with advanced cooling options to make sure that it can stay working even in the warmest of conditions.

Top Notch

Focal FPS 2.160 2-channel amp

Focal designs this amplifier from the ground up in 2010 by studying the dynamic relationship between speakers and amplifiers and vehicles. This series of amps are designed to get the maximum fidelity out of your favorite music. Focal spared no expense in creating an amplifier that would have its internal thermostat and the unique circuit design to improve the sound.

As a two-channel amplifier can send 105 W of RMS in each channel, and the single-channel mode it delivers 360 W of bass. The filters range from 50-500 Hz providing amazing clarity to the music. The filtering can be set up on a low pass or high pass and be adjusted for output for a wide range of speakers. The large fan design does not impede the superior sound quality with this device.

The FPS 2.160 runs virtually silently and as an excellent addition to any in-car audio. The heatsink and cooling on this device are revolutionary. The only drawback to the Focal 105 W AB symmetric amp is that it doesn’t come with the main wiring for hooking it up. The manufacturer only sends out the mounting screws for setup, and it’s up to the user to determine the best type of speaker wire and connectors.

2-Channel Amp FAQ

What is a two-channel amp?

A 2-channel amplifier (there are also 4-channel, 5-channel and monoblock amps) typically enhances a stereo speaker system by working as a bridge between the two channels to improve the power output. Channel amplifiers in a two-channel format can double the power or add a significant amount of sound power to any stereo system. Adding one of these amplifiers into your vehicle could be an excellent way that you could boost the abilities of your stereo.

What are the advantages of installing a 2-channel amp?

The significant advantage of installing a two-channel amplifier is that you can experience a tremendous boost when it comes to the overall stereo quality. If you find that there is a significant amount of base missing from your music or you could use an enhancement to the overall sound quality in your vehicle, installing an amplifier could be all that’s missing from your current stereo set up.

Top points to consider with your 2-channel amp purchase?

When looking at a two-channel amp, it’s crucial to consider some features with the amplifier you might be looking at. To channel amplifiers are perfect for powering up a subwoofer and a pair of speakers for more profound bass notes. Making sure that your amp matches the impedance of the speakers and subwoofer is essential, it’s also crucial to work with a two-channel amplifier that fits within your budget.

How to install a 2-channel car amp?

A good rule of thumb with any two-channel car installation is to consider professional installation. A professional will be able to properly calibrate your car audio system and make sure that your amplifier is adequately mounted to prevent damage or sound issues.

It is possible to set up a car audio system or a two-channel car amplifier by yourself. Still, it’s recommended to have a professional install the system to make sure that it can be installed for the most excellent longevity and sound quality.

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